Tuesday, June 20, 2006

Rashid Buttar's Dirty Laundry

After reading Kevin Leitch's exposé of the many frauds of Rashid Buttar, I was inspired to create this tribute to one of America's most versatile con artists.Based on "Dirty Laundry" by Don Henley:He makes his living off quackery and abuseThere's always something--something he can usePeople are easy to confuseThey love Buttar's dirty laundry

Well, he coulda had real certifications, but fake ones fit the billThey just have to look good, they don't have to be realHe's always got a cure-all pillAnd lots of dirty laundry

Quackin' when he's upQuackin' when he's downQuackin' when he's upQuackin' when he's downQuackin' when he's upQuackin' when he's downQuackin' when he's upQuackin' all around

Says he's an expert in food science, and autism besidesHe can sell you cures for cancer with a gleam in his eyeIt's interesting his cancer patients still dieThat's Buttar's dirty laundry

Using IV-EDTAIs the kid dead yet?You know, the nurses in his office got a running betNo decency and no regretJust heaps of dirty laundry

We all need to find out what's going onWe all need to know just how far it's goneWe're not going to leave Buttar aloneLet's hang out his dirty laundry

Quackin' when he's upQuackin' when he's downQuackin' when he's upQuackin' when he's downQuackin' when he's upQuackin' when he's downQuackin' till they're stiffQuackin' all around

Dirty little secretsDirty little liesHe's got his dirty little fingers in everybody's pieHe loves to cut your bank balance down to sizeHe loves his dirty laundryHe can do conspiracy theoryHe can dance and singWhen it's said and done, he hasn't shown you a thingWe all know that crap is kingWith Buttar's dirty laundry

I recently met the wife and had no idea who she was. Her friend gloated about her and told me her husband cures autism. Skeptical, I googled him and found all these nasty sites on him. My poor friend is blind!

Quackwatch has posted a report about the American Board of Clinical Metal Toxicologists (ABCMT). Originally called the American Board of Chelation Therapy, it is part of chelation therapists' effort to make themselves look more legitimate. ABCMT's current online membership directory lists 76 "diplomates" and 39 "diplomate candidates." However, it is not recognized by the American Board of Medical Specialties, which sets the certification standards for in the United States. [Barrett S. Be wary of "board certification" in clinical metal toxicology. Quackwatch, Feb 13, 2009] http://www.quackwatch.org/04ConsumerEducation/Nonrecorg/abcmt/overview.html

Most "clinical metal toxicologists" claim that "heavy metal toxicity" is an underlying cause of heart disease, autism, and many other diseases, including cancer. Their favorite test for diagnosing this alleged toxicity is a "provoked" urine test for which urine is collected after a chelating agent is administered. Chelation and other methods are then used to "detoxify" the body, which proponents say will enable it to heal whatever disease they claim to treat. Provoked testing is a fraud [Baratz RS. Dubious mercury testing. Quackwatch, Feb 19, 2005]http://www.quackwatch.org/01QuackeryRelatedTopics/Tests/mercurytests.html,and chelation therapy has no rational use against the diseases that "clinical metal toxicologists" claim to treat. [Green S. Chelationtherapy: Unproven claims and unsound theories. Quackwatch, July 24, 2007] http://www.quackwatch.com/01QuackeryRelatedTopics/chelation.html

ABCMT's chairman, Rashid A. Buttar, D.O. is facing charges of financially exploiting patients brought by the North Carolina Board of Medicine. During a hearing held last year, Buttar indicated that nearly all of his patients are diagnosed with heavy metal toxicity and receive chelation therapy. Five of ABCMTs' other 12 officers, directors, and advisers have had legal and/or regulatory trouble in the past.

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About

This blog began its journey in May 2005, countering misinformation and stereotypes about autism. The title was chosen to make clear that autistic people are not changelings or aliens, but are human beings who have just as much right to inhabit Planet Earth as anyone else.
Now, as it reaches the end of its five-year mission, I would like to thank my readers and everyone who is working toward understanding and acceptance. May you find blessings wherever you go.
— abfh, May 31, 2010